Politics for Beginners

Excellent book for young people that should get them engaged in politics

‘An informative guide to political systems, elections, voting and government and issues including feminism, human rights, freedom of speech and fake news, all explained with clear text and bright, infographic style illustrations.’ That sounds pretty great, right? But it doesn’t do this book justice at all. Because this book is an absolute game changer! It is beautifully accessible and has my 8 year old hooked. Every night we read through another couple of pages. We never get further than that because this book raises so many questions and has been the springboard to so many discussions about our world. Last night we started out reading about voting but ended up talking about media bias and Rupert Murdoch and Sky takeovers and Newsround and Teen Vogue and role models and…. you get the idea. It is opening her eyes to the world in a hugely positive way. It is inspiring her. It is empowering her. Because you have to understand how something works before you can get in there and blow it apart to change it. This book informs, educates and raises questions. I have absolutely no doubt that it will inspire the next generation of activists and political game changers. Buy this book for your kids, for your friends’ kids, for their schools. Share this book with children. Talk them through it. Discuss it with them. I guarantee you’ll learn a lot too and it will leave you feeling hopeful for the future.

I read this for my 8 year old and enjoyed it. It’s well written and illustrated.

Pages laid out nicely. Full of useful information. Good for both adults and children!

During the coronavirus lockdown I wanted to make sure my kids had a learning experience that isn't necessarily available in school,s so learning about politics and preparing them for voting was high on the list. This book is a great introduction to politics that explains complex political ideas in real-life terms that children understand. And to be honest, I'm 30 years old and even I've picked up a thing or two from every page. One of the best books I've bought on here.

I bought this for my 12 year old who was interested in politics and wanted to understand it a little better. He tells me it has been really good in helping his understanding - and fun to read!

10 yr old really enjoyed this to supplement politics topic at school. Excellent breadth of topics covered, see look inside to get an idea. Also got British politics for dummies which is quite detailed and less exciting but he's checked a couple of topics in that also. This is great for junior school kids, maybe 9-11.

Politics For Beginners Decent book, but very one-sided at times. While the book is aimed at younger readers, outlining the basic ideas and principles of important political themes, it is inconsistent in its explanations. A couple of examples: I think it gives a fair assessment of Communism, it’s stated aims and some of the negative outcomes. However, the book, predictably, lacks nuance in certain areas. ‘Why are people against immigration?’ This page might of included genuine and legitimate fears that people have that their society may become destabilised. I.e. not all cultures have similar views on human rights, or believe women should have the right to vote. Speaking of which, the following page ‘Am I a feminist?’ is seriously one-sided. Feminism is a lot more than the fight for equal rights for girls and women. Sure, it has many supporters, including those who just want equal rights for both sexes. However, Feminism is most active in the counties that have equality under the law, while having little interest or influence on genuine patriarchal societies. The book, like many leading feminists, concentrates on issues affecting women and girls in other, non-western countries, while seeming to aim its message at those least affected: ‘Can I wear what I want to wear.’ Girls and women in western societies have as much choice as boys and men - and aren’t considered cross-dressers if they transgress against traditional, rigid stereotypes. ‘Will I get interrupted if I speak up in class’ Most males will instinctively be very accommodating to females, and partly as a result of being told about their ‘Male Privilege’. ‘Can I be anything I want when I grow up?’ Yes, as much as any male in relatively free societies has the right to. ‘Will I get the same education as my brothers’ Yes, in western democracies girls and women are doing great, and outperforming boys and men in schools and universities, according to most surveys produced. ‘Will I get the same education as my brothers?’ See above ‘Are there sports teams for me to join?’ Yes ‘Do I get to choose if I want to get married, or if I want to have a baby?’ Women typically select and reject their potential partners, sometimes while he is on bended knee. As for having a baby, most certainly; a woman doesn’t have to have a partner to become a mother. Am I safe from Violence?’ No one is safe from violence, though males are far more likely to be attacked. This is true of domestic violence- a woman is more likely to initiate physical aggression on her partner, while a man is more likely to affect serious injury. Sorry, for the lengthy response, but if we miseducated them when they are young, they are likely to be easy prey for ideological indoctrination as they go through their life. I Am Not A Feminist, but I do believe in equal rights and opportunity for all people. Equality will never be possible while an ideology, taking its name from one half of humanity ‘fem’, claims to be the voice of reason and all things good.